The resurgent automaker, rescued by U.S. and Canadian government loans after filing for U.S. bankruptcy protection in 2009, says January had the 38th consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth in Canada.

Overall, the company says it sold 17,013 vehicles in Canada last month, up three per cent from 16,584 vehicles sold in January 2012.

Chrysler says those figures mean it's starting the year as the No. 1 seller of vehicles in Canada.

"Starting the new year as the best-selling manufacturer in the country validates the strong investments we have made into our product portfolio," chief operating officer Dave Buckingham said in announcing the January figures.

Numbers from the other big two North American automakers — GM and Ford — are expected later today as well as Japanese rivals Toyota and Honda, which also have Canadian assembly plants, and other foreign car makers.

Volkswagen Canada reported a strong start to 2013, saying it sold 3,373 new cars and light trucks January — the company's best ever for the month and 8.5 per cent higher than last year.

John White, president and chief executive of Volkswagen Canada, said the company built momentum last year and "we are confident that this will continue throughout 2013."